Patent GB-224927-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to automatic fire-arms
IPC: F41A9/33
Filed: 1923-05-24
Abstract: 224,927. Dibovsky, V. V. May 24, 1923. Machine guns; cartridge-belts.-A gun in which the barrel moves forwards on discharge as described in Specification 131,016 is adapted for high speeds of firing by providing, in combination, a mounting, a breech-block, a gas-actuated baffle for moving the barrel forwards, energy storing means for returning the. barrel, and a cartridge-carrier or belt actuated by the moving barrel to feed the cartridges step-by-step into the breech. The invention also includes a fixed breech-block, a gas-baffle movable relatively to the barrel to delay its forward movement, means on the barrel for stripping cartridges from the carrier and disintegrating its links, and means, actuated by the moving barrel, for pumping cooling air over the barrel. In the form shown in plan in Figs. 1, 1<a> and 1<b>, and in side elevation in Fig. 2, the barrel 15 reciprocates, under the action of a gas baffle 26 and spring 33, in a breech casing 1 which is yieldingly mounted by resilient discs 113 in a frame carrying the usual trunnions. The breech-block 2 is detachably mounted in transverse guides in the breech casing so as to be fast therewith and the barrel carries a gas-baffle at its muzzle end in the form of a sleeve 27. This sleeve has a limited forward movement against the action of a spring 29 when the gases following the projectile 23 pass through ports 25 and act on the plate 26. During this movement of the sleeve, the barrel lock 35 is released by the projection 38 and the barrel is then moved forwards to open the breech and the return spring 33 is compressed by the arm 31. The barrel is surrounded by a tube 10 having ports 110 through which cooling air is drawn in and expelled by pistons 108 on the barrel working in compartments in the tube. The cartridgecarrier is fed step-by-step across the breech by a bell-crank lever 9, the arm 65 of which is rocked during the forward movement of the barrel by a projection 66 and returned by a hook (not shown). The other arm 63 of the bell-crank reciprocates a feed-block 73 which carries toothed wheels 90 that are locked against rotation during the inward movement of the block the teeth moving the cartridges forward in guides 50 on the breech-block and revolving freely during the outward movement of the block. A lever 98 prevents overfeeding of the carrier, and a lever 106 engaged by the extremity 107 of the feed-block acts as a stop to position a cartridge in tha breech. The forward movement of a cartridge acts through a slide 102 to withdraw a firing-pin 45 carried by a rocking firing lever 46 the lower end of which is then in position to be engaged by the projection 48 on the barrel to fire the gun. The barrel carries a knob 49 for hand actuation. The cartridge carrier, Figs. 21 and 22, is composed of metal links hinged together by pins 52 engaging eyes 53. The links are disengaged from one another as the breech closes by a projection 59 on the barrel, and are then stripped from the cartridges by inclines 58, 60 on the breech-block and barrel respectively. To start the action of the gun, a rod 127, Fig. 2, is pushed forwards to release a lever 132 that holds the barrel in forward position and the gun therefore fires automatically so long as the rod 127 is pressed. A detent 137 on the rod engages a notch 119 in an adjustable knob 114. When it is desired to fire a predetermined number of rounds, the notch 119 is angularly displaced relatively to the detent 137. Every time the gun fires, a rod 142 rotates a ratchet gear 140 and acts to return the notch step-by-step until ib comes opposite the detent 137 when the rod 127 can move rearwardly under the action of its spring 131 to stop the firing. The number of rounds fired is recorded by a counter 144 actuated by a rod 145 abutting against the firing lever 46. Specifications 10587/86 and 131,016 are referred to. The second Provisional Specification also describes a gun in which two or more barrels are employed.